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Who's who @ CDI Group?

CDI Group Plc employs more than 75 people, many of who have been at the company for more than 15 years - we are very much a people company. Below are profiles of some of our senior managers - please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Chris Arkwell, Managing Director
Chris Arkwell is the Managing Director of CDI Group Plc. Chris founded CDI Group back in April 1987, and has grown the company from scratch up to an £8.6m turnover with 75 employees. Chris started off climbing up poles and down holes as a BT engineer, before specialising in exchange maintenance and data communications installations.

Sir Bernard Zissman, Chairman
Bernard has served as a Director of CDI Group plc for the last seven years (and currently Chairman). Bernard’s varied and impressive career has included membership of Birmingham City Council from 1965 to 1995 - during which period Bernard was elected Lord Mayor of Birmingham 1990/91. Bernard was knighted for public and political services in 1996.

John Wakelam, Operations Director
John has been with CDI Group since 1993, having worked in the data and communications sector since the age of 16. John's projects have included multiple site rollouts at Lloyds TSB Bank, Bradford and Bingley, and Beneficial Bank (HFC), and John is currently involved in a multi-incremental Ministry of Defence infrastructure project.

Neil Mackay, Advantage Business Angels, Director
Neil graduated from Warwick University and is both a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Marketer. Neil joined Advantage Business Angels on 1 August 2002 as MD, and is one of three controlling shareholders. Since then the business has established itself as the most effective angel group in the UK.

Laurence Hadley, Senior Contract Manager
Laurence has 17 years' experience working in the communications sector, project management, and now as senior manager at CDI Group. Laurence specialises in major new builds, managing consultants and M&E contractors. Previous notable projects include the new Matthew Boulton College Building in Birmingham, and 1,000 year-old buildings at Worcester City Council.

	Chris Arkwell, Managing Director Chris Arkwell is the Managing Director of CDI Group Plc. Chris founded CDI Group back in April 1987, and has grown the company from scratch up to an £8.6m turnover with 75 employees. Chris started off climbing up poles and down holes as a BT engineer, before specialising in exchange maintenance and data communications installations.
	Sir Bernard Zissman, Chairman Bernard has served as a Director of CDI Group plc for the last seven years (and currently Chairman). Bernard’s varied and impressive career has included membership of Birmingham City Council from 1965 to 1995 - during which period Bernard was elected Lord Mayor of Birmingham 1990/91. Bernard was knighted for public and political services in 1996.
	John Wakelam, Operations Director John has been with CDI Group since 1993, having worked in the data and communications sector since the age of 16. John's projects have included multiple site rollouts at Lloyds TSB Bank, Bradford and Bingley, and Beneficial Bank (HFC), and John is currently involved in a multi-incremental Ministry of Defence infrastructure project.
	Neil Mackay, Advantage Business Angels, Director Neil graduated from Warwick University and is both a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Marketer. Neil joined Advantage Business Angels on 1 August 2002 as MD, and is one of three controlling shareholders. Since then the business has established itself as the most effective angel group in the UK.
Laurence Hadley, Senior Contract Manager Laurence has 17 years' experience working in the communications sector, project management, and now as senior manager at CDI Group. Laurence specialises in major new builds, managing consultants and M&E contractors. Previous notable projects include the new Matthew Boulton College Building in Birmingham, and 1,000 year-old buildings at Worcester City Council.